Herb latin name: Sow Thistle,Sow Thistle Extract

Latin name: Sonchus oleraceus

Family: Compositae

Medicinal use of Sow Thistle: The plant is emmenagogue and hepatic. An infusion has been used to bring on atardy menstruation and to treat diarrhoea. The latex in the sap is used in the treatment of warts. It is also said to have anticancer activity. The stem juice is apowerful hydrogogue and cathartic, it should be used with great caution since it can cause colic and tenesmus. The gum has been used as acure for the opium habit. The leaves are applied as apoultice to inflammatory swellings. An infusion of the leaves and roots is febrifuge and tonic.

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Habitat of the herb: the herb: Waysides, waste and cultivated ground. A common weed, avoiding acid soils and shady positions.
Edible parts of Sow Thistle: Young leaves - raw or cooked. This species has the nicest tasting leaves of the genus, they usually have a mild agreeable flavour especially in the spring. They can be added to salads, cooked like spinach or used in soups etc. The leaves contain about 30 - 40mg of vitamin C per 100g, 1.2% protein, 0.3% fat, 2.4% carbohydrate, 1.2% ash. A zero moisture analysis is also available. It might be best, though it is not essential, to remove the marginal prickles. Stems - cooked like asparagus or rhubarb. They are best if the outer skin is removed first. Young root - cooked. They are woody and not very acceptable. The milky sap has been used as a chewing gum by the Maoris of New Zealand.
Other uses of the herb: The latex in the stem contains 0.14% rubber, but this is much too low for commercial exploitation.
Propagation of Sow Thistle: Seed - sow spring in situ. This species is a common garden weed and should not need any encouragement.
Cultivation of the herb: Waysides, waste and cultivated ground. A common weed, avoiding acid soils and shady positions.
Known hazards of Sonchus oleraceus: None known

Herb latin name: Sow Thistle,Sow Thistle Extract

Latin name: Sonchus oleraceus

Family: Compositae

Medicinal use of Sow Thistle: The plant is emmenagogue and hepatic. An infusion has been used to bring on atardy menstruation and to treat diarrhoea. The latex in the sap is used in the treatment of warts. It is also said to have anticancer activity. The stem juice is apowerful hydrogogue and cathartic, it should be used with great caution since it can cause colic and tenesmus. The gum has been used as acure for the opium habit. The leaves are applied as apoultice to inflammatory swellings. An infusion of the leaves and roots is febrifuge and tonic.

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Habitat of the herb: the herb: Waysides, waste and cultivated ground. A common weed, avoiding acid soils and shady positions.
Edible parts of Sow Thistle: Young leaves - raw or cooked. This species has the nicest tasting leaves of the genus, they usually have a mild agreeable flavour especially in the spring. They can be added to salads, cooked like spinach or used in soups etc. The leaves contain about 30 - 40mg of vitamin C per 100g, 1.2% protein, 0.3% fat, 2.4% carbohydrate, 1.2% ash. A zero moisture analysis is also available. It might be best, though it is not essential, to remove the marginal prickles. Stems - cooked like asparagus or rhubarb. They are best if the outer skin is removed first. Young root - cooked. They are woody and not very acceptable. The milky sap has been used as a chewing gum by the Maoris of New Zealand.
Other uses of the herb: The latex in the stem contains 0.14% rubber, but this is much too low for commercial exploitation.
Propagation of Sow Thistle: Seed - sow spring in situ. This species is a common garden weed and should not need any encouragement.
Cultivation of the herb: Waysides, waste and cultivated ground. A common weed, avoiding acid soils and shady positions.
Known hazards of Sonchus oleraceus: None known